Gas mask construction



Nov. 17, 1936;. T, QLEARY 2,061,436

GAS MASK CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 24, 1935 INVENTOR 7710Mfl a O L ERR Y ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 17, 1936 UNITED j STATES PATENT OFFICE GAS MASK CONSTRUCTION Thomas A. owl-y, Pittsburgh, Pa. Application August 24, 1935, Serial No. 37,660

Claims.

: the mask being pulled tight at the straps, but

tending to gap at other points and cause leakage. I have found that this difliculty maybe overcome by the use of a particular construction at the edge of the mask, such edge being provided with lugs to which the straps are connected and which are so shaped and positioned as to cause the edges of the mask to bend inward and fit the contours of the face when tension is applied to the straps. One embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1- is a side elevation of a mask employing the invention. And Figs. 2 and 3 are enlarged sections through the edge of the mask on the line II-II of Fig. 1, Fig. 2 showing the posi- 5 tion of the edge before tension is applied to the holding strap, and Fig. 3 the position of such edge after tension is applied thereto by the strap. Referring to the drawing, I is the main body or face of the mask which is preferably molded 30 of soft rubber, such body being provided with the usual eye piece 2, flutter valve 3 and hose 4 which is connected to the cannister (not shown). Adjacent the edges of the mask and integral with the body are the lugs 5, to which the straps 35 are attached, and to which the invention particularly relates. The head piece 6 of the equipment carries the straps I, preferably of elastic material, and these straps are attached at their ends to upper portions of the lugs. To accomplish this 40 attachment, the lugs are perforated, as indicated at 8, and carry the metal clips or links 9 to which the straps l are secured.

Before tension is applied to the straps the edge of the mask occupies the position shown in Fig. 2, with the flat surface thereof lying in the one plane. When tension is applied to the straps, the edge is bent inward, as indicated at.

I 0 in Fig. 3. This isdue tov the fact that the body portion of the mask is held by the face of the wearer against movement inward of the lug, so that when a pull isapplied to the upper end of the relatively stiflf lug, the material will bend at II and the edge of the rubber sheet will be forced inward, as shown, and follow the contour of the face of the wearer. This action is most positive directly at the lugs, but is also present in a less degree in the edge of the material intermediate the lugs so that the tightness of the mask at its edges is materially improved throughout.

What 1 claim is:

1. A gas mask comprising a body portion of soft molded rubber provided at its edges 'with integral spaced lugs which project outwardly a substantial distance from the plane of the body portion and taper in thickness from their bases to their outer ends, and holding straps attached to the outer ends of the lugs extending across the sheet edges spaced outwardly therefrom and adapted to cause the edge of the mask to bend inwarly when tension is applied thereto.

2. A gas mask comprising a sheet of flexible material having at its edges lugs which project outwardly a substantial distance from the plane when tension is applied thereto, said, lugs being formed so that they taper in thickness from their high points to the edges of the sheet.

THOMAS A. OLEARY. 

